WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Household net worth rebounded by $1.64 trillion in the fourth quarter, thanks to an upturn in the stock market and gains in real estate.

The net worth rise, as reported in the Federal Reserve’s quarterly “financial accounts of the United States,” was driven by a $758 billion gain in corporate equities and a $458 billion increase in the value of real estate. It represents a rise of 1.9%, and comes after a $1.32 trillion decline in the third quarter.

It should be pointed out that real estate, and stocks in particular, are disproportionately held by the rich. That said, real-estate gains are the main way the middle class adds wealth.

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